FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION AMONG STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN OYO STATE

• Main Authors: Layade A.A., Adeoye I.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences 2014-06-01
• Series: Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences
• Subjects: Fruit; Vegetable; Preference; Consumption; Awareness; Students; Availability
• Online Access: http://www.rjoas.com/issue-2014-06/article_01.pdf

Studies have shown that adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables is vital to sound health. Eating vegetables and fruits appears to keep the brain young and prevent mental decline due to ageing. In Nigeria, many studies on fruit and vegetable consumption concentrated on adult population but empirical study on fruit and vegetable consumption pattern of students has rarely been considered. The study was therefore carried out to assess fruit and vegetable consumption among students of tertiary institutions in Oyo state, Nigeria. Two hundred well-structured questionnaires were administered to students through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regressions. The result revealed that the most preferred fruit by students was banana (34%) while the least preferred was cashew (1%). The most preferred vegetable was pumpkin leaves (32%) while the least preferred was celosia (20%). Only 37% of the students consumed the recommended fruit and vegetable intake. Regression analysis showed that student income, sex, parent’s income and Availability of fruit were statistically significant and determined fruit consumption among student (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.10). The study recommended creation of awareness on the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption among students.